Work to begin on Main Street bridge in Cambria

Construction is due to start as soon as Monday, July 8, on a new bridge over Santa Rosa Creek on Main Street near its intersection with Santa Rosa Creek Road and the Cambria Dog Park.

County Public Works officials plan to keep the road open for most of the 17-month project, although flaggers may occasionally close lanes for short periods.

Main Street is a busy arterial connecting Highway 1 through the rural countryside to Cambria’s downtown business area.

Utility lines and pipes will be relocated prior to the start of work on the bridge, according to Cori Marsalek, project engineer. Also, roadsides will be mown along Highway 1 and Santa Rosa Creek Road by Caltrans and county road crews.

Michael Boyce, project manager, said the new $3.5 million bridge will be built just north of the existing bridge, allowing it to remain in place for most of the construction period, providing two-way traffic with a minimum of disruption.

Marsalek said that, during the project, signs are to be placed on Highway 1 to let the public know there is construction on Main, and to expect some delays.

Marsalek said the contract allows Souza Construction to close Main Street for a full three weeks so the old bridge can be removed, but that’s not likely to happen until the summer of 2014.

The new cast-in-place concrete box girder bridge is to replace one built in 1929. The new bridge will be wider, make a clear span over the creek and have more room for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Funds for the project come from the Federal Highway Administration Bridge Replacement Program administered by Caltrans, Proposition 1B Transportation Funds, Federal Bridge Toll Credits and the County Road Fund.